DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 196/10
Wednesday, 02 June 2010
Sarbi takes next steps on her journey home
Sarbi, the Explosive Detection Dog that went missing in Afghanistan for over a year, has
arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of her journey home. Sarbi arrived on a civilian
flight into Dubai from Kabul on Tuesday 1 June.
Leaving Tarin Kowt with other Australian soldiers on a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 on
26 May, Sarbi was farewelled by her current handler from the Special Operations Task
Group, Sergeant D, who said it was good to see her finally starting her journey home.
Sergeant D was also Sarbi’s original handler when she went missing.
Sarbi completed a final veterinary check in Kandahar before being flown to Kabul, to obtain
customs and immigration clearance from respective embassies, prior to her flight to the
United Arab Emirates.
“It’s been a long journey and she has a fair way to go yet – I’ll be glad once it’s all over and
she’s back in Australia,” Sergeant D said.
“She has been spending her days eating, sleeping and walking around the Multi-National
Base at Tarin Kowt – she’s made herself quite at home here.”
A few days before leaving, Sarbi was farewelled by the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General
Ken Gillespie during his visit to troops in Tarin Kowt.
Commander of the Joint Task Force 633 in the Middle East, Major General John Cantwell,
said he was happy to see her beginning her long journey home after her famous extended
deployment to Afghanistan.
“I know she’s been spoiled in recent months as she awaited the outcome of her veterinary
tests and looks perhaps slightly “healthier” than a working dog should,” Major General
Cantwell said.
“Sarbi is a dog that will be remembered for her actions, but it is important to note that there
are a lot of other dogs doing the same dangerous work as her in Afghanistan and we need to
continue to support and recognise them as we have Sarbi.”
Sarbi will spend six months in the United Arab Emirates, which is an Australian Quarantine
Inspection Service approved country; while she meets the residency, vaccination, testing and
treatment requirements of the AQIS import conditions. During this time she will be visited
regularly by ADF personnel.
As Sarbi’s import permit had expired and the ADF could not attest to her condition during her
time missing in Afghanistan, Sarbi is required to reside in an AQIS approved country for a
period of six months before being allowed to re-enter Australia, where she will remain in
quarantine for another 30 days.
Tarin Kowt and in the UAE.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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